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Last weekend, I took my family in my 325i Touring to South Lake Tahoe for the weekend. It was my first chance to test the wagon out in terms of space, power and handling.
The amount of gear I needed to lug was substancial now that I think about it. The list includes 4 bikes, a bike trailer, a stroller and a play pen! Not to mention 3 duffle bags and a few baby bags! The 4 bikes fit on the Yakima rack with no issues.. I may have been able to fit one more. The rest of the gear fit in the cargo area without issue.. well some of the misc. stuff wound up in the back seat as there was just the 3 of us. The compartment undernear the cargo and spare was used too.
Here's a photo of the wagon all loaded. The PSS springs handled the extra load well. The car only dropped about 1/2" to 3/4".
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376131"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253490.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
Power wise I wasn't expected too much from the 2.5L. With the load load, wind drag from the bikes and altitude, this was quite a load on the motor. To my surprise, it actually handled the load quite well. I was able to pass as needed.. of course just basic SUV's and cars. But thinking back, I don't think anyone passed me in the passing zones(~45 miles before S. Lake Tahoe, Hwy. 50 is a single with passing zones).
Handling wise, the PSS, CSL VB3's and Goodyear GSD3's did very well. Traffic was too dense on the way up to open it up but on the way back, I had the chance to. Considering I had +100lbs on the roof and car full of gear, the E46 took it in stride. It was funny how a Chevy Suburban was trying very hard to stay in front of me. He was all over the road trying to go faster. What is it with big trucks/SUV's? I notice, a lot of them always tailgate and set the pace! Even in the passing zone, he was trying to accelerate to stay in front.
Thought I share that with fellow E46's.. so far, I'm very impressed with the E46 family.. first the E46 M3 and now the wagon.
Only thing I wished it had was maybe 50 extra ponies? but 333 would be even nicer! Besides Rogue, anyone know of any shops in the Bay Area that does S54 transplants?
Here's a few photos I took while I was up there.. the weather was perfect on Sunday. It was still smokey on Sat. Fallen Leaf Lake is gorgeous if you get a chance to head out there.. just 15 minutes from South Lake Tahoe.
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376126"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253392.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376127"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253397.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376129"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253363.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376128"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253316.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
The amount of gear I needed to lug was substancial now that I think about it. The list includes 4 bikes, a bike trailer, a stroller and a play pen! Not to mention 3 duffle bags and a few baby bags! The 4 bikes fit on the Yakima rack with no issues.. I may have been able to fit one more. The rest of the gear fit in the cargo area without issue.. well some of the misc. stuff wound up in the back seat as there was just the 3 of us. The compartment undernear the cargo and spare was used too.
Here's a photo of the wagon all loaded. The PSS springs handled the extra load well. The car only dropped about 1/2" to 3/4".
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376131"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253490.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
Power wise I wasn't expected too much from the 2.5L. With the load load, wind drag from the bikes and altitude, this was quite a load on the motor. To my surprise, it actually handled the load quite well. I was able to pass as needed.. of course just basic SUV's and cars. But thinking back, I don't think anyone passed me in the passing zones(~45 miles before S. Lake Tahoe, Hwy. 50 is a single with passing zones).
Handling wise, the PSS, CSL VB3's and Goodyear GSD3's did very well. Traffic was too dense on the way up to open it up but on the way back, I had the chance to. Considering I had +100lbs on the roof and car full of gear, the E46 took it in stride. It was funny how a Chevy Suburban was trying very hard to stay in front of me. He was all over the road trying to go faster. What is it with big trucks/SUV's? I notice, a lot of them always tailgate and set the pace! Even in the passing zone, he was trying to accelerate to stay in front.
Thought I share that with fellow E46's.. so far, I'm very impressed with the E46 family.. first the E46 M3 and now the wagon.
Only thing I wished it had was maybe 50 extra ponies? but 333 would be even nicer! Besides Rogue, anyone know of any shops in the Bay Area that does S54 transplants?
Here's a few photos I took while I was up there.. the weather was perfect on Sunday. It was still smokey on Sat. Fallen Leaf Lake is gorgeous if you get a chance to head out there.. just 15 minutes from South Lake Tahoe.
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376126"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253392.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376127"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253397.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376129"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253363.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic/8376128"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18322253316.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge"></a>
